LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The New Mexico State University Aggie football team has been selected to finish fourth in the 2012 Western Athletic Conference football coaches poll and fifth in the media polls, released Thursday at the WAC Football Media Days.

The Aggies received 22 points in the coaches' poll and 95 points in the media poll.

In 2011, the Aggies were picked to finish eighth by the coaches and in the media poll, NMSU finished the 2011 campaign with a 4-9 overall record and 2-5 conference record. This is the highest preseason ranking in both polls for the Aggies since they joined the WAC in 2005.

In the media poll, Louisiana Tech received 193 points and 25 first-place votes. Utah State was picked second after garnering 164 points and the remaining three first-place votes.

San Jose State finished third with 130 points while Idaho was selected fourth with 102 points followed by New Mexico State (95), Texas State (57) and UTSA (43).

The media also voted on preseason players of the year, with Louisiana Tech wide receiver Quinton Patton voted the Offensive Player of the Year and San Jose State defensive lineman Travis Johnson named Defensive Player of the Year.

In the coaches' poll, Louisiana Tech received 36 points from the seven WAC coaches. Utah State was in second with 31 points.

The Aggies open the season against Sacramento State at Aggie Memorial Stadium Aug. 30.